Illinois declares 'BTS Day' ahead of Chicago concertsThe U.S. state of Illinois has designated the dates of K-pop supergroup BTS' upcoming Chicago concerts as "BTS Day in Illinois," the group's agency said Monday. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker proclaimed Aug. 27 and 28 (U.S. time) as "BTS Day in Illinois," coinciding with BTS' performances at Soldier Field in Chicago on its "Arirang" world tour. "BTS has transcended international borders and utilizes their platform to champion social causes, including mental health awareness, self-love, and global philanthropy," Pritzker said in an official proclamation. This core messaging of BTS "heavily aligns with the civic values of Illinois, inspiring millions of individuals worldwide — collectively known as the BTS ARMY — to engage in grassroots community service and match global charitable giving." The governor also encouraged local residents to embrace "the unifying values of music, culture and community advocacy." BTS became the first K-pop act to hold a standalone concert at Soldier Field in May 2019, during its "Love Yourself: Speak Yourself" world tour. The upcoming shows will mark the band's fAug 24, 2026By Yonhap
NCT 127 feels like it's starting over on 10th-anniversary albumNCT 127 releases its seventh full-length album "BLINGY" on Monday, opening a new chapter in its 10th anniversary year with three of its original members absent. The Seoul-based unit of SM Entertainment's sprawling NCT roster debuted in July 2016 with the stated ambition of taking the city to stages worldwide. Hits including "Cherry Bomb," "Kick It," "Sticker," "Fact Check" and "Walk" have kept the group in the sights of global fans over the past decade. The team is now operating as a five-member act made up of Taeyong, Johnny, Jaehyun, Yuta and Haechan. Vocalists Doyoung and Jungwoo are fulfilling their mandatory military service, while Mark left the group in April after his exclusive contract with SM ended. Hours before the album's release, the five members held a press conference Monday at Lotte World Tower in Seoul's Songpa District, where they spoke about the comeback and their 10th year in the industry. "We tried to find our way back to where we started," Taeyong said. "Because it's our 10th anniversary, we worked hard to make sure the members who aren't here still come through on tAug 24, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
NEXZ brings its own flavor to new mini album 'SAUCIN'NEXZ returns Monday with “SAUCIN’,” a six-track mini album built around the idea that the seven-member group has a flavor of its own and is still evolving. Spanning different genres, the album seeks to pull listeners from a curious first taste into a deeper immersion in NEXZ’s music, according to member YU. HARU, meanwhile, described the “taste” of the album as resembling a lemon, with refreshing tracks such as “SAUCIN’” and “APPETITE” balanced by songs with sharper, more addictive qualities. For his part, HYUI said sour cream fits the title track because of its cool, summery energy and festival atmosphere. The album also showcased some of the members own work. Members TOMOYA, HARU and HYUI worked on “APPETITE,” which explores NEXZ’s hunger for music. For TOMOYA, the song expresses the group’s desire to keep making music that listeners want to hear again, while also reflecting its ambition to reach greater goals. While working on the song, HARU said he brought his interest in fast-tempo hip-hop house music to the track and that the members built on one anotherAug 24, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
BLACKPINK's Jennie to release new album this weekBLACKPINK member Jennie will release a new EP, titled "Fallen Angel," later this week, her agency, OA Entertainment, said Monday. The singer will unveil the three-track release digitally at 1 p.m. on Thursday before issuing a physical edition at a later date, according to the agency. The digital album will include the title track, "Fallen Angel," as well as "Less than a Lover" and "Heaven." The physical version will feature three additional tracks — "Sweettooth," "Lockitdown" and "Face" -- selected by Jennie specifically for her fans, the agency said. "I'm so happy that these songs are finally being released as my new album, 'Fallen Angel,'" Jennie said in a release. "I hope you'll get to listen to them soon."Aug 24, 2026By Yonhap
KATSEYE scores its first No. 1 on Billboard 200The latest album of U.S.-based K-pop girl group KATSEYE has debuted at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard's main albums chart for the first time. Billboard said in a preview of this week's chart on Sunday (U.S. time) that Katseye's third EP, "Wild," took the top spot on the Billboard 200 with 170,000 equivalent album units, outpacing Phoebe Bridgers' "Lost Weekend" and Stray Kids' "This & That." It marks the first time KATSEYE has reached No. 1 on the chart since the group debuted in 2024 through HYBE's U.S. partnership with Geffen Records. KATSEYE is the fourth K-pop girl group to top the Billboard 200 since 2020, following BLACKPINK with "Born Pink" in 2022, NewJeans with "Get Up" in 2023 and TWICE with "With You-th" in 2024. The Billboard 200 ranks the most popular albums of the week in the United States, measured by equivalent album units comprising physical and digital sales, as well as streaming and digital track downloads converted into album sales. Of the 170,000 units earned by "Wild," album sales accounted for 145,000, according to Billboard. Released on Aug. 14, "Wild" explores acceptiAug 24, 2026By Yonhap
BIGBANG proves 20 years of K-pop chemistry at Goyang homecomingGOYANG, Gyeonggi Province — Eight years and eight months away, and two missing founding members, counted for little at Goyang Stadium on Sunday. One of K-pop's longest-standing and iconic boy bands, BIGBANG packed more than 30 songs into two and a half hours. Roughly 40,000 fans answered with a roar loud enough to leave ears ringing. The three-night run, titled "XX : COSMOS," was the group's first concert in Korea since "LAST DANCE" at Seoul's Gocheok Sky Dome in December 2017. It marked BIGBANG's 20th debut anniversary and the opening leg of its first full world tour with G-Dragon, Taeyang and Daesung. Fans of all ages from around the globe filled the complex well before Sunday's 7 p.m. start. Daehwa Station on Seoul Metro Line 3, the nearest station to the venue, was already crowded. The late-summer heat matched the mood outside the gates. Just minutes later, the three appeared to the sounds of their 2012 song "Fantastic Baby." Following an intro video built around the latest album's cosmic motif, a red-washed screen split slowly down the middle and the members appeared in gleaming wAug 23, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
How Hanroro beat K-pop powerhouse HYBE, SM, JYP and YGLast spring a vocal instructor at a private music studio that trains students for college auditions in the greater Seoul area took a call from a mother. The woman was not asking about admissions to a college music program. She asked the instructor, surnamed Lee, to look out for her child, who was under heavy stress from the college admissions grind. The student Lee met at the studio had started university the year before, found her major a poor fit, became socially isolated and dropped out. She was preparing to apply all over again. At the first lesson Lee showed her a list of songs that work well for training. The student wanted something else. "She told me she wanted to sing the song with those lyrics — 'I won't abandon you. You think the same, don't you?'" Lee said. The song was "0+0," by the rock singer Hanroro. Reached by phone on Aug. 13, Lee explained why that request stood out. "At music academies we don't recommend Hanroro's songs first to students preparing for auditions. Her music isn't the kind of material for showcasing vocal range or building instrumental skill. They're eaAug 23, 2026By Hankookilbo
ENHYPEN's new EP sells 1.77 mil. copies on release dayK-pop boy band ENHYPEN's eighth EP sold more than a million copies on the day of its release, according to local sales tracker Hanteo Chart. "The Sin : Bliss" topped Hanteo's daily albums chart with 1.77 million copies sold upon its release on Friday. The EP also ranked first on iTunes' Top Albums chart in 23 countries and regions, including Brazil, Japan, Malaysia and Turkey. It is the group's first release since ENHYPEN was reorganized as a six-member act. The album consists of 10 tracks, including lead single "Bloody Paradise" and B-side track "Two Fools."Aug 22, 2026By Yonhap
Girls' Generation's HRS unit to debut with 'Skibidi' singleGirls' Generation's new unit HRS will release its debut digital single, "Skibidi," on Aug. 31, its agency SM Entertainment said on Saturday. The single will contain two tracks — the title song "Skibidi" and "Lowkey in Love." "Skibidi" begins with house music before shifting into hip-hop, with lyrics carrying the message of forging a new path together, SM said. The Girls' Generation-HRS was formed through Girls' Generation member Hyoyeon's personal YouTube channel, "Hyoyeon's Level Up," and includes Hyoyeon, Yuri and Choi Sooyoung.Aug 22, 2026By Yonhap
KATSEYE scores career-best No. 2 on British albums chartK-pop girl group KATSEYE has scored its highest ranking yet on Britain's Official Albums Chart, debuting at No. 2 with its latest EP, "Wild." The U.S.-based group's third EP entered the Official Albums Chart Top 100 at No. 2, according to the latest chart released Friday (British time). The result marked a sharp rise from the No. 55 peak achieved with its second EP, "Beautiful Chaos," released last year. KATSEYE also landed three tracks on the Official Singles Chart Top 100. Pre-release single "Animal" rose four places to No. 12, while "Hootie Frutti," the main track of the new EP, and "Bel Air," also a track from the album, debuted at No. 16 and No. 97, respectively. Released on Aug. 14, "Wild" explores accepting every facet of one's inner self while pursuing instinct and freedom. HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, British pop star Ed Sheeran and producers Omer Fedi and Blake Slatkin were among those who took part in the album's creation. Elsewhere on the albums chart, "ARIRANG," the fifth studio album from K-pop supergroup BTS, ranked No. 68, extending its run to 22 consecutive weeks. On the singAug 22, 2026By Yonhap
